Joe Biden's family members react on decision to drop out of race

July 21 (UPI) -- First lady Jill Biden quickly reacted on social media on Sunday about her husband Joe Biden 's announcement not to seek election for a second term as president.

She reposted Biden's letter announcing his choice on Instagram , along with the double pink heart emoji.

"Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose," Elizabeth Alexander , the first lady's communications director, said in a statement to CNN. "She's his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be."

The president had been relying on Jill Biden for advice. NBC News reported last week she also has been consulting with his son Hunter and his younger sister, Valerie Owens.

Owens was senior advisor to his successful 2020 presidential campaign, as well as U.S. Senate runs.

Biden's consulted family and top advisers by phone at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., recovering after announcing Wednesday he tested positive for COVID-19. A return date to Washington hadn't been announced.

He held a family meeting Saturday night.

Jill Biden has plans to be in Paris to lead the U.S. delegation at the Summer Olympics, which start Friday.

Originally, she was to be part of a fundraiser on Thursday in Paris hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to the EU Tony Gardner, Belinda de Gaudemar, and Lorna Johnson.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will lead the delegation to the closing ceremony on Aug. 11.

Biden was also expected to attend some Olympic events during her trip to Paris, a White House official said.

Hunter Biden said: "Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad."

"Over a lifetime I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he's given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting," he said in a statement shared by his daughter Naomi. "That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years."

Naomi Biden also wrote on Twitter: "To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours."

She said she was proud of her "pop," who has served the country "with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction."

"Not only has he been -- and will continue to be -- the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation's history," Naomi said.

"He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him."

Naomi Biden became the first granddaughter of a president to get married at the White House in November 2022.

Biden has seven grandchildren from his two sons: Hunter and Beau from his first wife, Nelia Hunter -- who died in a car crash with one daughter in 1972. Naomi's father is Hunter Biden. Joe and Jill Biden have a daughter, Ashley, who has not yet publicly commented on her father's decision.